A to Z Challenge 2012 Reflections

When I signed up for the A to Z Blogging Challenge only a few short days before it started (April 1) part of me felt I was insane!  I was a blogging newbie with only 3 blog posts under my belt.  The rational side of me knew that this challenge could prove to be a valuable and rewarding experience, helping me to mold myself into the open and flowing writer I hoped to become this year.  Yet, the idea of having to write 6 days a week when I hadn’t written regularly in years made me tremble.  Going into the challenge, I couldn’t ignore the little voice in my mind, whispering, “You’re insane!  You’re never going to make it!”

Nevertheless, here I am a week after the challenge with 26 blog posts, all submitted on-time and with my heart in every single one of them.  Of course, I had a couple bad days.  There were a couple times my scheduled posts didn’t post when they were supposed to post.  Several of my posts were completed later in the day than I had planned.  I even went through a bout of writer’s block near the end.  But I conquered my fears and doubts, never once allowing any obstacle to stand in my way.

To know I finished the challenge is such a satisfying and empowering feeling!  A week later, I swear my inner writer is still floating high above the world in total bliss . . . and I can’t wait to attempt the challenge again next year!  If you are a blogger and have not attempted the A to Z Challenge, I encourage you to consider it for next year.  I cannot express how much the challenge has boosted my confidence and freed my writing.  I am writing freer and better than I have in years largely because the challenge allowed me to practice my art regularly and actively dared me to be more confident and courageous with my writing.

I would like to thank all my readers who have shared this wonderful challenge with me, as well as all the amazing fellow bloggers I have met along the way.  You all have made this adventure fun and even more rewarding.  I am especially happy to say, though, that this isn’t goodbye.  This leg of the journey is now complete, but the journey itself is nowhere near over.  I’d love for each and every one of you to continue journeying with me as I further write about the humorous and quirky side of parenting.